Unless you are on vacation, I am sure you have noticed the beginning of the big Kellogg/I-235 project.  The entrance ramps on to Kellogg at West Street have been temporarily closed, and very soon south Meridian will be down to just a couple of lanes.  So take a deep breath and add an extra five minutes to your daily commute times.  It's going to be months before we begin to see the wonderful results of these two projects.

If I wasn't afraid I would jinx us, I would talk about how the weather has been in our favor.  But we all know that to talk about the weather in Kansas is just a matter of waiting "10 minutes and it will change".  Instead, I will talk about ways of coping with the impending congestion.  Sure, you can divert over to Maple, but so will hundreds of others.  So let's all grin and bear it. Now might be the perfect time to check out a new audio book from the Wichita library and listen to a great story on your way to and from work/school.  Listening to an audio book is a wonderful way to pass the time and soon you will be at your destination.  Or maybe you could finally get around to learning that second or third language by checking out a set of language tapes/cds.  Thanks to bluetooth technology we see everyone around us talking when no one else in the vehicle, so no one will think anything about you repeating foreign language phrases.  Maybe you need something to soothe you on the way home from a bad day at work.  The Wichita library has a wonderful collection of classical music as well as children's music for those that are toting the kids to and fro.

And to make it even easier you can get on line at the Wichita Public Library, find your audio cd, click on "request" and choose to pick up your items at the Alford Branch Library drive-thru window.  They are located at 3447 S Meridian.  Just look for the drive between the Subway Restaurant and Wichita Fire Station.  But however you chose to travel every day, don't be the guy that is shown below.  It's just not worth it. 

DON'T BE THIS GUY!!

We will give you progress reports as we receive them.

  Good luck, keep your cool, and learn to enjoy the drive!

GOOD NEWS!

On January 5, 2016, Councilman Blubaugh appointed two new District Advisory Board members, and a new member for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Review Committee who will represent the private sector of District IV.

Saajan Bhakta

We are very proud of these board members and that they are all working to improve District IV which affects the entire Wichita community.  THANK YOU!

Pawnee Prairie Park News

Maintenance Work Being Done In The Park

In recent months the Park Maintenance staff have been working in Pawnee Prairie Park clearing back over-grown brush along the cement walking path.  Our plan is to create a little more space for the equestrian users so that it will give them more room to use the trail and hopefully keep them from having to use the concrete path itself.  We also plan on filling some of the off-trail horse paths with gravel and dirt to prevent standing water and to help make it safer the park patrons. 

We greatly appreciate all of the folks that constantly pick-up trash and such...the amount of trash that comes off of Kellogg and then washes down the creek, is overwhelming.  Any help we can get with trash clean-up is greatly appreciated.  We still have some more work ahead of us in clearing Eastern Red Cedars.  Eastern Red Cedars are an invasive species that consumes huge amounts of water and affects the regrowth of many desirable trees, consumes open space, and limits the diversity of native plants found on the prairie.  Out-of-control red cedar growth is very dangerous when it comes to wild fires...they carry a huge amount of fuel and can be ignited very easily.  We will be doing more work creating fires breaks around the edges of the park this coming spring and early summer. 

Additional News (West Shelter Parking Lot)

Please note that the gate for the West Parking Lot in Pawnee Prairie Park will soon be left open.  The cost of opening and closing the gate by city staff is cost prohibitive.  We have explored the idea of installing an electronic gate but see too many problems with that.  Folks getting locked in, someone getting hurt when the gate activates to close, etc.  A security light will be installed in order to keep an eye on any off-hour activities that are prohibited.  We ask that you, as neighbors, be vigilant by keeping an eye on the parking lot and report any suspicious behavior by calling 911 any time and/or the Park Department at 268-4361 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. 

Invitation

The Director would like to invite each of you to attend our next Board of Park Commissioner's meeting on Monday, February 8, 2016.  We will be discussing possible usages of Pawnee Prairie Park and would like to get your thoughts and ideas as we discuss the Park.  Parking is available in either our metered parking and/or ticket parking.  If you park in the ticket parking area feel free to bring your parking ticket with you to the meeting and we can validate the ticket for you. 

The meeting will be held at City Hall, 455 N Main, 11^th Floor in the Park and Recreation Department Conference Room.  The meeting will start at 3:00 p.m.

 TO HELP WITH  THE

You would have to live in a cave if you haven't heard or seen signs around Wichita for Dondlinger Construction. 

Mr. N.L. Dondlinger began the foundation of what would become the company in 1898 in Claflin, Kan., later moving it to Wichita in 1925.

Over the ensuing decades, the Dondlinger name would become attached to some of the most iconic structures in the Air Capital,  from Henry Levitt Arena at WSU 

and the Kansas Coliseum to Century II, the Epic Center, Exploration Place and Intrust Bank Arena.

Take a virtual ride across Wichita as you explore new literary genres in this year's Winter Reading program. It's the Tour de Wichita!

There are more than a dozen different genres you can explore, each inspired by some of Wichita's most well-known or interesting sites. For example, you could read a sports book for Lawrence Dumont Stadium, a historical fiction for the Wichita-Sedgwick Co. Historical Museum or a western for Cowtown. We hope you will have just as much fun reading the books as we did in finding locations for each genre!

The Tour begins January 4 and ends March 18. Click here to find out more, or you can pick up your "Tour de Wichita" map at any one of our eight Wichita Public Library locations.

Citizen Police Academy taking applications for the Spring class
 
Applications are being accepted for the academy that will run from February 22 to May 16, 2016.

The Citizen Police Academy (CPA) is a 13-week program designed to provide a working knowledge and background of the Wichita Police Department and Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, and to foster a closer relationship between the agencies and the community.  It provides an avenue for community involvement and provides firsthand experience of policing. 

 

The Academy provides an opportunity for citizens to learn more about local law enforcement, ask questions, and gain a more thorough understanding of the inner workings of the Wichita Police Department and the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office.  The Academy is also a means for participants and police personnel to share information and ideas about the police profession.  The Academy provides for improved community/police relationships, enhanced cooperation, and reduced stereotyping. 

 

Some of the topics and activities Academy attendees will participate in include: 

•         Patrol operations including riding assignments with a Wichita Police Officer or Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputy.
•          Overview of Investigations.
•          Presentations by the Gang Unit.
•          Wichita/Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Firearms Training Facility tour. 
•          Exploited and Missing Child Unit, Homicide and Robbery Investigations.
•          Tours of the Wichita Police Department Crime Lab, Records Bureau, Sheriff's Crime Lab and the 911 Emergency Communications Center.
•          Tour of the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility including an opportunity to sample jail food.
•          Overview of Community Affairs and Community Policing.
•          Air Section helicopter "fly-in" and presentation.
•          Traffic radar demonstration.
•          SWAT Team demonstration.
•          Bomb Squad demonstration. 

Persons interested in attending a Citizen Police Academy must live, work, or attend school within Sedgwick County.  Persons must be at least 20 years of age, have no prior felony convictions and no outstanding warrants.  Applicants must provide two personal references. 

The Citizen Police Academy is held at the Wichita - Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Center, 2235 W. 37th St. N. There is no cost to attend the Citizen Police Academy.  Click here 

 

In November and December of 2015 Patrol West has had 137 vehicles stolen. Of those thefts 19 vehicles were left running unattended with the keys inside while it was warming up.  It only takes a few seconds for a thief to enter a warming vehicle and drive away.  Auto theft drives insurance premiums up, and many times stolen vehicles are used to commit other crimes.  

• Never leave your car running unattended, even to dash into a business, store, etc.
• Never leave any keys in the car or ignition, inside a locked garage, or in hide-a-key boxes.
• Always roll up your windows and lock the car, even if it is parked in front of your home.
• Always park in high-traffic, well-lighted areas, when possible;
• Install a mechanical device that locks the steering wheel, column, or brakes. These devices will deter some criminals.
• Investigate the purchase of a vehicle theft tracking/security system, especially if you own one of the frequently stolen model vehicles.
• If you must leave your key with a valet, attendant, or mechanic leave only the ignition key. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable firm.
• Copy your license plate and vehicle information (VIN) numbers on a card and keep them with you. If your vehicle is stolen, the police will need this information to take a report. (Have you done this yet?)
• Many vehicles today come with some type of security system from the factory. Normally there are upgraded systems available if you ask. The best choices are systems that shut off the fuel supply so that a car can't be started or driven.
• If your vehicle is stolen, report it to the police immediately. (911)

Home Improvement program has funding available for income qualified homeowners
 

The Housing and Community Services Department's Home Improvement Program now has funding available for interest-free, forgivable deferred payment loans of up to $5,000 for income-qualified (60% of median) owner-occupant homeowners.  Loans are provided for emergency needs, such as furnaces, water heaters, sewer lines, water lines, electrical system repairs and plumbing repairs.  Loans are also provided for minor home repair needs for senior citizens, age 62 and older.  Property taxes must be current.  Call 462-3713 for more information or to apply.